Absent:

Approval of the minutes (action required)

The Board voted (7-0) to approve the minutes of the September 20, 2016 and October 18, 2016 meetings.

2017 Board of Directors Meeting Schedule

Commissioner Bannon recommended the following schedule for the 2017 Board of Directors meetings:

January 17, 9:00am

Harold Washington Library Center

400 S. State Street

March 21, 9:00am

Harold Washington Library Center

400 S. State Street

April 18, 9:00am

Edgewater Branch

6000 N. Broadway

May 16, 9:00am

Harold Washington Library Center

400 S. State Street

June 20, 9:00am

Back of the Yards Branch

2111 W. 47th Street

September 19, 9:00am

Harold Washington Library Center

400 S. State Street

October 17, 9:00am

West Englewood Branch

1745 W. 63rd Street

November 21, 9:00am

Harold Washington Library Center

400 S. State Street

December 19, 9:00am

Harold Washington Library Center

400 S. State Street

The Board voted (7-0) to approve the 2017 Board of Directors meeting schedule.

CPL Capital Projects and Facilities Report (info only)

Presented by Andrea Telli, Assistant Commissioner of Neighborhood Services, the Capital Building Projects and Facilities report highlighted major maintenance and repair projects, projects in planning and projects under construction.

Major Maintenance and Repair Projects

Sulzer – Current and upcoming activity: façade tuck-pointing, damaged brick replacement and masonry infill is 93% complete; east elevation window replacement is complete and west elevation installation has begun; interior window finish trim and exterior window wrapping is in fabrication and will be installed in December; pre-cast sill installation on east façade is nearing completion and west façade scheduled to begin on 11/21; installation of roofing insulation, decking and waterproof basecoat membrane is complete; skylight installation is in progress; mechanical cooling units have been installed, testing is scheduled for 11/17; elevator mechanical components to be replaced 11/21 with new finishes and lights for elevator cab.

Legler – Current and upcoming activity: historic wood window installation is nearing completion, scheduled for 11/1; entry door replacement will begin on 11/18 and complete by 11/25; repairs to the interior areas of the library affected by water infiltration will begin once exterior work has been completed; additional repairs and upgrades are pending funding

Mabel Manning – Current and upcoming activity: interior and new window work is scheduled to begin at the end of November, beginning with the Fire Alarm system.

South Chicago – Current and upcoming activity: 2FM contractor has obtained permits to perform the exterior drainage pipe repairs; construction began 11/14 and excavation will take place from 11/15 through 11/18; new concrete will be poured the next week with completion by 11/23.

Projects in Planning

CPL-CHA Partnership – As a part of the CPL-CHA partnership, new libraries will be built for the Altgeld, Independence, Northtown and Northtown branches; regular design and development updates will be provided at future Board meetings.

Early Learning Areas/ Thomas Hughes Children’s Library - Current activity: contractor has been recommended and approved by the PBC Board; THCL closed to the public on 11/5; notice to Proceed/Construction begins on 12/1; final completion in Spring 2017; THCL reopens to the public in Summer 2017.Services during construction & closure: interim services will be provided for Thomas Hughes patrons beginning 11/13 in the first floor Popular Library; Thomas Hughes staff will remain at HWLC during the renovation and closure; Thomas Hughes children’s staff will provide story times and school age programming in the building; A full schedule will be available in Popular Library and online; staff will also continue to provide story times at local pre-schools and Head Starts, as well as to conduct school visits and attend other outreach events; families using the library for family reading or homework space will be able to use other floors of the Harold Washington Library Center; teacher in the Library services can be found at adjacent libraries including Lozano, Chinatown and Mabel Manning; public Access Computers dedicated to children and families will be available for use during the closure; Museum Passports will be available through the Main Floor Circulation Desk; information about programs, times, dates, and locations will be available at HWLC reference desks, at nearby branches, and on the Chicago Public Library website.

Whitney Young – Current activity: Schematic design phase began on 9/8 and is currently in progress; public art development process has begun with Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE); community meeting held on 10/18 to discuss programming and services.

Projects Under Construction

Woodson – Scope: new terra cotta façade with metal panels in the rear of the building with matching color; new energy efficient and insulated windows, exterior doors and entrance with automatic push pads for accessibility; new curtain wall which will bring natural daylighting into lobby and 2nd floor; film with digital images applied on glass on south and southeast elevations; new energy efficient and insulated roof; new modern interior and exterior security cameras; renovation and modification to the lobby and monumental stairway; construction of two new 2nd floor study rooms.

Construction Update: Contractor – Ujamaa Construction

Construction on east façade and roof began on 9/7; the new penthouse roof is 90% complete, with main roof demolition in progress; east façade removal of masonry is at 95%; scaffolding has been removed as of 11/10.

Library closed to the public on 11/18; staff began at interim locations on 11/13 or 11/14.

Commissioner’s Report (info only)

Brian Bannon, Commissioner highlighted the following:

Rodney Freeman was selected as the new Assistant Commissioner of Central Library Services filling the vacancy left by Greta Bever.

Rhona Frazin reported on the 2016 Carl Sandburg Literary Awards Dinner that took place on October 26th and honored Erik Larson, Scott Turow and Amina Gautier. This year’s event grossed nearly $1.8 million, a huge increase over last year.

All CPL locations will be closed on: Thurs, November 24, 2016; Sun, December 25, 2016; Mon, December 26, 2016; Sun, Jan 1, 2017; and Mon, Jan 2, 2017. All CPL locations will close at 3p.m. on Sat, December 24, 2016 and Sat, December 31, 2016.

Other Business

None

Public Comment

The Board addressed questions/comments from the audience regarding:

Independence branch opening - branch opening is pending new location, the Library is considering a temporary pop-up branch in the meantime.

Patrons were pleased that the bilingual audio book club has been restored

A request was made that next year CPL commemorate the 30th anniversary of Harold Washington’s death and additionally make all materials accessible.

Rhona Frazin, President and CEO of the Chicago Public Library Foundation reported that the Foundation Board of Directors approved the Chicago Public Library’s full budget request of $6,632,792 for calendar year 2017. The Foundation’s Program and Planning Committee is also transitioning toward a mid-year budget approval timeline to more closely align with the City’s budget process to take effect budget year 2018. Ms. Frazin also reported fundraising efforts and recent grant activity which included:

$50,000 from the Davee Foundation for Teachers in the Library

$50,000 from Tom and Sue Pick for Teachers in the Library

$60,000 from the Retirement Research Foundation for CyberNavigators’ work with older adults

$50,000 from The Dr. Scholl Foundation for Out of School Time Learning Programs at the Library, and

Lastly, more than $2,000,000 in grant requests are currently pending with donors for 2017.

Next Board Meeting

The next board meeting will be held on Tuesday, December 20, 2016 at 9:00 a.m. at the Harold Washington Library Center.

Commissioner’s Report

I am thrilled to announce that Rodney Freeman has joined the Chicago Public Library executive team as the new Assistant Commissioner of the Harold Washington Library Center.

Rodney Freeman joined CPL as the Director of the Woodson Regional Library in late 2014. Before coming to Chicago, he worked in a variety of positions and served in all aspects of library operations including page, circulation clerk, collection development librarian, and branch manager. As a manager of two branch locations in Indianapolis, he was involved in the Indianapolis Public Library’s strategic planning process, where he assisted in the implementation and integration of new system-wide technology.

Librarianship and community service have been deeply rooted in Rodney’s passion outside of the workplace as well. He previously helped start two nonprofits focused on both illiteracy and on the personal preservation of photos, documents, and family history.

Rodney has a master in Public Administration from Indiana State University and received his master of Library and Information Science from Indiana University. He was also awarded the Indiana Librarian Leading in Diversity Fellowship in 2009 and was published in the Indiana Libraries Journal in 2014. Rodney was the Vice President of the Indiana Black Librarian’s Network in 2014, and was selected to be a presenter at the Black Caucus ALA Conference in 2015.

Rodney’s experience, energy, perspective, and leadership will be invaluable as we begin planning for the future of the Harold Washington Library Center.

Carl Sandburg Dinner

The 2016 Carl Sandburg Literary Award Dinner was presented by the Chicago Public Library and Chicago Public Library Foundation on October 26. The awards recognized literary and artistic achievements of established and emerging writers and artists.

In 2016, the honorees were Erik Larson, Scott Turow, and Amina Gautier. Author Erik Larson received the Carl Sandburg Literary Award for non-fiction and Scott Turow received the award for fiction. The 21st Century Award, presented to a Chicago-based emerging author, was awarded to short story writer Amina Gautier.

Guest authors with ties to Chicago were seated at every table and enjoyed a lively conversation between Larson and Turow, moderated by Scott Simon. Gautier delivered a heartfelt acceptance speech that passionately addressed the role of public libraries in everyone’s lives.

Reminder

All Chicago Public Library locations will be closed on the following dates:

Thurs, November 24, 2016

Sun, December 25, 2016

Mon, December 26, 2016

Sun, Jan 1, 2017

Mon, Jan 2, 2017

All Chicago Public Library locations will close at 3p.m. on the following dates:

Sat, December 24, 2016

Sat, December 31, 2016

Chicago Public Library Foundation Report

(presented during Public Comment)

I’m delighted to report that earlier this month, the Foundation Board of Directors approved the Library’s full budget request of $6,632,791 for calendar year 2017. This step was the culmination of dedicated and concentrated work by our Executive, Resource Development, Program and Planning and Finance Committees, Foundation Staff and Library Board and Staff leadership. Thanks to everyone for their efforts.

With the leadership of the Foundation’s Program and Planning Committee we are transitioning toward a mid-year budget approval timeline, to allow for a longer planning window at the Library, and to more closely align with the City budget process. This new calendar will take effect for budget year 2018.

The Board and Staff of the Foundation is pleased to report on the positive results of our collaborative fundraising efforts with and on behalf of the Chicago Public Library.

Major recent grant activity includes:

$50,000 from the Davee Foundation for Teachers in the Library

$50,000 from Tom and Sue Pick for Teachers in the Library

$60,000 from the Retirement Research Foundation for CyberNavigators’ work with older adults

And $50,000 from The Dr. Scholl Foundation for Out of School Time Learning Programs at the Library

More than $2,000,000 in grant requests are currently pending with donors for 2017, and we hope for action on many of these before the end of the year.

Finally, on behalf of Carl Sandburg Literary Awards Dinner Co-Chairs Wendy Berger and Dave Casper, I am pleased to report a truly record-breaking year, with total gross revenue of nearly $1.8 million—a huge increase over last year, and a true testament to the hard work of our Board and generous donors. We would like to especially thank Presenting Sponsor BMO Harris Bank and Lead Sponsors Advanced Resources, Rolex and Helen and Sam Zell for creating an extraordinary base of support for us to build upon. More than 750 Civic Leaders, including members of the Library Board and Staff and 75 talented Chicago Writers paid tribute to this year’s honorees Erik Larson, Scott Turow and Amina Gautier. It was a memorable evening for a truly wonderful cause.